Sheet separating and feeding mechanism



Jan. 8, 1946. w. PECHY 2,392,403

SHEET SEPARATING AND FEEDING MECHANISM m/Yv A T TOE/V675 .ot blanks.

Patented Jan. 8; 1946 W i .r i Meiiesquehiili f I 'erlca'nflan Company,New OI'RKN- corporatlonof-lflew Jers y" This-invention relates to.mechanisni-ior ,LsepI- arating and feedlngvmaterial sheetsfrom whichcontainer parts 'are made and has particular reference toacontrolled/suction:cupparriedQn a swinging arm so that the en'g aging,,suriace ot the cup at all times is parallelzoto the:surfac of theSheets within a magazine, 1

In the feeding of'sheets or blanks il'bil i ii 11in.

ply-magazineinto a can making machine for e ample, the sheets usually;are separatcd by -s'uc- :tlon cups which engagethe surface o f theoiitermost sheet in the stackandsuch cups,are,,carrled on swinging armsor leverswhich by reason of their required. arcuate path ofmoyernentcannot be depended on tocause the cups to engage thesheetsuniformly.

EPARATING ANQEEEDING "an automatically operated" v lin s 132m t ltemwcfi l ism e ro j t a Fig. 5.; 181a; sec .nal showing the parts inFlg jaf'is, eniar ed nismr. as .yiewed isuh t ti ll The instantinvention contrnplatesoterc m in' such difllculties by providingacontrolledffloati g suction cup carriedyon a;swinging arm 'which alwaysengages the surface ofi the, sheet funiiormly for the. entire peripheryoil" th' cup thereby increasing its holdingotgrippinDowenand: a

maintaining the same while shifting; the f'hl ank An object oftheinvention is the pr evisi tr a sheet or containerhlank separatingmechanism to someother plane-orlevel.v

.wherein a sheet; or. blanksis. separated iron a stackrof sheets orblanks in a supply; magazine by a yieldable floatingfsuctioncupfwhichj's rnaintained in--a desired position throughout its movementsto insure parallell engagement "of the suction cup with a surface otthesheet ,oriblankfi Another object is the provision in such a; mechanismhaving a floating suction cup carried on an actuated lever or swingingarm of deyices Ior controlling the position of the suctioncup so that itwilllenga'ge a flat sheetortbflank normal; to, p

the surface thereof, to grip andv flexthe sheet or blank preparatory toseparating it frame/ upply Afurther object istii provision 111 efs eting" and Ieeding rnechanisrn oif a valvecarrled in a swinging arm whichoperates sin ultaneousmac i e; the" Pr ncip 3 to U mechanism locate anee t e es In the operationof the ma uum for releasing its hold jonthesheet, this,

being in timed relation withfthe action of strip v oil fingers in a canmaking'machine.

Numerous other objects and adranteg ges o f the invention will beapparentasit' is better-"understood from the following description,which; taken in connection with the accompanying drawing discloses apreferred embodiment'thereot,

Referring to the'drawings:

" gurenl is an elevationin section througha the magazine issupported"ofi spacedparallel bars i S which arernountedon-themach-lne'niaiwframe 55 extend inward! v the when the lowermostsheet or blank A the stack has been drawn down by a suction cup D into abowed position at its center (Fig. 1), it

. free from the suction cup.

The separating and feeding mechanism (Fig. 4) includes a bell cranklever shaped member 22, having a laterally extended arm 23 and 9.depending or rocker arm 24. This member is carried on studs 28, 28mounted in bearings 21,

28 (Fig. 1) of the main frame. The mechanism 0 is located at the feed-inend of the machine hereinbefore mentioned, so that the automaticallyoperated suction cup D is centrally of and is directly beneath thestackmagazine 13.

The arm 23 of the mechanism is rocked between stationary arms orbrackets 32, 33 which latter extend outwardly as integral parts of themain frame; These arms are connected at their outer ends by anend plate34 which is secured to each arm '(Figs. 1, 4 and 7), thus forming astationary yoke 38. 1

Each of the stationary arms 32, 33 of the yoke carry feathers 38. 31(Figs. 4. 6 and 7) which are secured in vertically disposed slots inthese arms for guiding a slide piece or member 38. This sli e piece ismoved up and down by the arm 23 for eifecting the movement of thesuction cu D. a

The suction cup D is conical in shape having the peri heral edge or rimin a substant ally horizontal plane. The cup is made of resilientmaterial such as rubber or the like. The cup D ismounted on atapered'seat in the upper nart of the slide niece 38 and is held to thedesired conical shape by ascrew or angularly shaped plug 42 (Figs. 5 and6).

The central part of the slide niece 33 is hollowed and is provided witha seat 43 for a balllikeelement 44. This forms a ball and socket oruniversal joint which imparts flexibility between the narts. The ballelement 44 is retained in the seat 43 of the slide piece 38 by ahollowed screw element 48. I V

The ball element is carried on a sleeve 48 which is secured in alongitudinal bore 41 of the arm 23 (Fig. 5) by a pin as at 48. This ballelement is free to slide along the sleeve 48 as the arm 231s swung upand down, as during a separating operation. This sliding connectioncompensates for the arcuate path traveled by the end of the arm. Thesuction cup D during the swinging of the arm 23. is raised and loweredalong a vertical path and thus is maintained normal to the surface of asheet or blank in the magazine.

The longitudinal bore 41 of thearm 23 is closed the central opening ofthe sleeve 48 which thus 7 provides a valve seat 58.

The valve element 54 is operated by a rocker arm 89 having a connectionwith the head 55. The vvalve element is maintained in a normally closedposition by a spring 82 which is located in the chamber 41 and whichsurrounds the stem 51. An air passage or port 63 (Fig. 5) is cut in theend of the valve stem and communicates with the suction chamber at oneend and in the closed position of the valve is sealed off by the wall ofthe valve seat 58 at the other end.

When the swinging arm 23 is raised for lifting the suction cup D, up toan engaging position with a sheet A in the stack magazine, the valveelement 54 is moved simultaneously to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, toan open position. In this position the air assage 63 at one end is inregistration with an opening 64 in the sleeve 48. Such an opening mayinclude an annular channel cut in the inside wall of the sleeve. Theopening 84 is in registration with a port 68 formed in the ball element44 andia bore 88 extending through the plug 42. In this mannercommunication is established between the suction chamber and the suctioncup. -Thus suction is on the cup when it engages the surface of thesheet A.

The valve E is kept in its open position (Fig. 3) as the arm 23 swingsdown and thesuction cup continues its grip on the sheet A while drawingthe sheet into a bowed position (Fig. 1). After a sheet A is in thisbowed position the valve stem moves to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5,and this closes the valve and shuts off the cup from the vacuum source.Asthe valve elementcontinues moving, the terminal end of the stem 51gradualiy uncovers the opening 84 in the sleeve wherethe cup hold on thesheet.

' is timedwith the movement ofthe feed bars I! in part atone end by thesleeve 48 and at the a cup D, a valve E is employed and is operated inthe suction chamber in time with the movements of the swinging arm.Thisvalve includes a valve element" operative in the sleeve 48. Thevalve element comprises a head 88, an intermediate part 58 and a stem51. The intermediate part slides in the bushing 82 and the stem moves into facilitatestripping the bowed sheet or blank free of the suction cupD vwhilemoving it from beneath the stack magazine. The valve E thenremains closeduntil the arm 23 again is raised for engaging anothersheet or blank preparatory to gripping and bowing it, when the cycle ofoperation is repeated.

' The head 55 includes a pair of spaced collars 81 having a reducedsection 88 of desired shape therebetween. Connecting bearing blocks 12engage the section 88 on opposite sides and are carried in an upperforked end 13 of the rocker arm 59 on studs 14 I (Figs. 4 and 5).

The rocker arm 83 oscillates on studs IS an-. chored in a bracket 18which ismounted on the main frame (Figs. land 4). The lower end of thearm 58 carries a cam roller 1'! which cooperates with one face of a cam18 mounted on a shaft 82 journaled in bearing 83 carried on the mainframe. p

The arm 24 of thelever 22 carries a cam roller 84 at its lower end. Thisroller cooperates with an opposite face of the cam 18. This cam is adouble face cam which simultaneouslyoperates the valve in time with theswinging arm. The

roller 84 is-retained in. contact with the cam face by means of a spring85 having one end hooked to the machine main frame and the other to afork connection 88 carried on the arm 24. The spring 82 (Fig. 5)hereinbefore mentioned, by its'action keeps the roller 11 in contactwith the cam 18.

The shaft 02 (Fig. 1 carries'a bevel gear I! which meshes with a bevelgear mounted on a main drive shaft "carried in bearing 03 of the frameI3. The shaft 02 may be driven in any convenient manner.

Provision has been made in the instant invention to stop the feeding ofsheets or blanks in the event of abnormal working conditions such as ajam which may occur inthe machine or in an adjoining machine. For thispurpose anelectrically operated solenoid 94 is provided. This solenoidmay be operated through suitable lead wires by a series of electricalstops or other detecting devices which will stop further feeding ofsheets or blanks.

The solenoid04 is connected in a normally closed circuit, which undernormal operating conditions permits the mechanism C tofunction. If forany reason the solenoid circuit is opened, the solenoid is deenergizedand the rocker arm 24 of the lever 22 is locked in an inoperativeposition (Fig. 2). g

Under normal operating conditions when the solenoid 94 is energized, theforked end of a lever 00 is drawn up by the solenoid through a link 90.This lever is carried on a stud ,9! mounted on the main frame. Theopposite end of the lever 95 as at 08 engages against a depressiblelocking finger I02 carried in a bracket I03 mounted on the main frame.The end 08 of the lever thus holdsthe finger down in a recess I04 of thebracket and permits the rocker arm 24 to operate.

In the event of a jam or stoppingof the machine, the solenoid 94 isdeenergized and the forked end of the lever 85 drops down and the end 00is raised (Fig. 2). Thispermits the looking finger I02 to spring up andengage against a lug I 00 at the lower end of the rocker arm 24, as thearm moves into the path of the finger I02 during the next lifting strokeof the swinging arm 23; The locking finger I02 then holds the rocker arm24 back in an inoperative position against the spring 05, thus pr;venting the cam roller 04 from engaging against the double face cam 18to function therewith. The separating mechanism C then is locked in thisstopped condition and remains so until the solenoid 94 is againenergized to depress the locking finger I02 out of the path of movementof the rocker arm 24 It is thought that the invention and many of itsattendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description,and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its materialadvantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferredembodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack of sheetsin a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke having a pair of spacedparallel arms located adjacent said magazine, an arm movable between thearms of said yoke, a slide member mounted on said am between the arms ofsaid yoke and having straight sliding movement toward and away from saidmagazine,

means carried by said slide member for engaging andv separating a saidsheet from the stack of sheets'within the magazine, 'an aperturedunlversal joint interposed between said arm and said slide member forinsuring flexible action therebetween, and devices carried by said yokefor said slide member for insuring flexible action be prising astationaryyoke located adjacent said magazine, a slide member mountedbetween the arms of said yoke and having straight sliding movementtowardand away from said magazine a suction cup secured to said slide memberand movable therewith for engaging a said sheet in the stack of sheetswithin the magazine, a swinging'arm located'between the arms of saidyoke extending through said slide member and having a universal jointconnection therewith for moving the slide member while maintaining theface of said suction cup parallel to'the surface of the sheet beingengaged, there being communicating suction passages formed in saidswinging arm and said slide member connected toa source of vacuum forenergizing said suction cup when it engages said sheet. I

3. A. mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack ofsheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke located adjacent saidmagazine, .a'slide member mounted between the arms "of said yoke andhaving straight sliding movement toward and away from said magazine, asuction cup secured to said slide member and movable therewith forengaging a said sheet in the stack of sheetswithin theina'gazine, aswinging arm located between the'arms of said yoke and extending throughsaid slide memberfor moving the latter while maintaining the face ofsaid suction cup parallel to the surface oi the sheet being engaged, anapertured ball and socket joint interposed between said arm and tweenthe parts, there being communicating suction passages formed in saidswinging arm and said slide member passing through said ball and socketjoint; and a vacuum valve carried in said arm and utilizing said suctionpassages for effecting a vacuum condition in said suction cup and forbreaking the suction therein.

4. In a mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack ofsheets in a magazine, the combination of a stationary yoke having a pairof spaced supporting arms located adjacent said magazine, a swinging armmovable between the arms of said yokeand having a hollow section locatedwithin said chamber, a slide member having a suction cup carried thereoni'or en ing a sheet within the magazine, said slide member being mountedon and slidable along said arm while being guided by the said yoke foraligning the suction cup normal to the surface of a said sheetpreparatory to engaging the sheet within the magazine, and means foroperating said valve .to connect said cup with the suction chamber forgripping the surface of a sheet so engaged. I

5. A mechanism for separating an individual sheet from a stack of sheetsin a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke having a pair of spacedsupporting arms located adjacent said magazine, an arm movable betweenthe arms of said yoke, a slide member mounted on said arm between thearms of said yoke and having straight sliding movement toward and awayfrom said magazine, a suction cup carried by said slide member forengaging a sheet in said magazine, an apertured ball and socket jointinterposed between said 6. A mechanismv for separatingan individualsheet from a stacker sheets in a magazine, comprising a stationary yokehaving a pair of spaced supporting arms located adjacent said magazine,

an arm movable between the armsjof said yoke, a slide member vmounted onsaid arm between the arms of said yoke'and having straight slid- 7 ingmovement toward and away from said magazine, a suction cup carried bysaid slide member for engaging a sheet in said magazine, an aper- Itured ball and socket joint interposed between said arm and said slidemember for giving flexibleaction" to the parts, a vacuum valve carriedin said'arm for controllingthe passage of air through said joint and toand from the suction cup'during the movement ofsaidarm, devices carriedby said yoke for guiding said slide member during its movement with saidarm to maintain the face of the suction cup parallel tothe surface of asheet within the magazine, and means for operating said valve tovacuumize said suction cup when it first engages the sheet and to breakthe vacuum when the engaged sheet has been. separated from saidmagazine.

7. In a mechanism for separating and feeding an individual sheet from astack of sheets in a magazine, the combination of a stationary yokehaving a pair of spaced supporting arms located adjacent said'magazine,a swinging arm movable between the arms of said yoke and having a hollowsection providing a suction chamber, a valve located in the said suctionchamber, a slide member mounted on said arm between the, arms of saidyoke and having straight sliding movement toward andaway from saidmagazine, a suction cup carried by said slide member for engaging andbowing a said sheet, devices carriedby-said yoke for guiding said slidemember during its movement by saidarm to maintain the said suction cupnormal to the surface of the sheet preparatory to its engagement, saidvalve and said slide member having air passages for communicationbetween said suction chamber and said suction cup, means for operatingthesaid valve to bring the said passages into registration whereby thesuction cup grips thelengaged sheet and hows it, and feed means locatedadjacent I said sheet magazine for stripping the bowed sheet from saidsuction cup toseparate it from the said magazine. Y

8. A mechanism for separating anindividual sheet'from a stack of sheetsin a magazine, comprising a stationary yoke located adjacent saidmagazine, an arm movable within saidyoke, a floating suction'cup carriedby said arm and having a sheet engaging face for engaging a sheet withinthe magazine, devices carried by said yoke for guiding said floatingcupduring its movement toward said magazine sothat itsengaging face atsuch time is parallel tothe surface of a sheet within the magazine, avacuum valve carried in said arm for controlling the vacuum in saidfloating cup, and stopsdevices operable in the event of abnormal workingconditions for preventing movement of the said arm without terminatingsaid .valve operations.

PECHY. a

